Funding for ag research announced

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Friday that USDA is distributing $176 million in Recovery Act funding to upgrade laboratory buildings and support facilities at research locations in 29 states.

“President Obama is committed to ensuring that USDA stays on the cutting edge of research in food safety, nutrition, producing food and preserving the quality of our soil and water,” Vilsack says. “This funding will ensure that our labs can carry out the critical research that enables the U.S. to have the safest, least expensive food supply in the world.”

USDA says the funds will improve the safety and health aspects of the laboratories, enhance the energy efficiency and reduce the cost of operation and maintenance. These benefits will improve the working environment, resulting in improved productivity and generate maintenance savings that will be captured and returned to directly support the research program. All of the projects selected are at locations conducting research of the highest priority.